Historical Background

The Bicol University since its creation on June 21, 1969 through the passage of Republic Act 5521 has remained faithful to its commitment of being a strong pillar for regional and national development.. With the changing demands of the times, it has pushed for reforms to broaden and strengthen its programs and maximize the benefits that should rightfully accrue to the community it serves. The implementation of the BU Comprehensive Development Plan as approved by the BU Board of Regents through Resolution No. 072, s. 2003 saw the emergence of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy as a new college of Bicol University from the former College of Arts and Sciences. It was created through Board Resolution No. 075, series of 2004 on September 10, 2004 and started its operations on January 1, 2005 under the authority of Administrative Order No. 263, series of 2004.

College Goals

Departmental Objectives

General Education

AB PEACE AND SECURITY STUDIES
AB PHILOSOPHY
AB POLITICAL SCIENCE
BS SOCIAL WORK
AB SOCIOLOGY

RESEARCH

ON JUNE 8-10, 2016, DR. RUBY ANN L. AYO AND DR. SALVACION L. VILLAFUERTE attended the HONG KONG

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SCIENCE at the REGAL AIRPORT HOTEL, 9 Cheong Tat Road, Hong Kong

International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong

On JUNE 9, 2016, the first day of the conference, DR. SALVACION L. VILLAFUERTE was awarded  Best Paper Award

in the Social Sciences Category.

EXTENSION

I. BASIC INFORMATION

1. Extension Project Title: COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT THROUGH GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT (ComEGAD)

2. Main Proponent: SALVACION L. VILLAFUERTE, Ph.D.

3. Implementing Agency/Station:

• Lead Agency: College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
• Cooperating Agency: Local Government Unit of Pilar, Sorsogon
• Other partner Agency: Local Government Unit of Ligao City                                                                                 Local Government Unit of Legazpi City                                                                                             Macalaya National High School

4. Funding Agency: College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

• With counterpart:  Local Government Unit of Pilar, Sorsogon
• Local Government Unit of Ligao City
• Local Government Unit of Legazpi city    
• Macalaya National High School

5. Duration of the Project

• Date Started :  AUGUST 2012
• Date of Completion : DECEMBER 2016

This extension project, the Community Empowerment through Gender and Development (ComEGAD) encompassed a holistic approach in responding to the community needs of Pilar, Sorsogon and other partner local government agencies. It is conceptualized in this aim where primarily; social and psychological needs will be addressed to bring realization to an empowered community through social and moral responsiveness and social and psychological well-being. It is aimed to be continuously committed in the holistic development of humankind and the Bikolano community through excellence in programs responsive to the regional, national and global concern and the attainment of the potential of the adopted community through extension.

This project was also in view of capacitating the barangay captains to local governance and empowering men, women and youth to enjoy life, work towards personal goals and feel good about themselves. This coincided with the goals of Extension Service in “Educating to Build Resilient Communities: BU Glocal Actions” in the establishment of resilient communities. Thus, this aimed to create responsible leaders and individuals bringing about secured, happy and organized communities. The project, which started in 2012, aimed to: (1) Raise awareness of social issues with emphasized focus on child protection and building safe environment for the children; (2) Promote physical, social and mental health of family members by equipping them with knowledge and skills focused on social and psychological well-being; and (3) Enhance knowledge and skills of stakeholders as allies for building resilient communities.

The ComEGAD (Community Empowerment through Gender and Development) was the Extension Banner Program of BUCCSSP from August 2012 until December 2016. Extension activities in line with the ComEGAD are concentrated in the 49 Barangays of Pilar, Sorsogon and linkages with the local city governments of Ligao and Legazpi and Macalaya, Sorsogon. Through the consolidated efforts of BUCSSP, this project provides programs and extension activities rendered by the different departments/units of the college, namely: General Education Department, Peace Studies Department, Philosophy Department, Political Science Department, Social Work Department and Sociology Department and also the Non-teaching personnel.

The project was divided into three components which in itself comprise of different activities: (1) Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Program (2) Family Empowerment (youth, parents and elderly) (3) Stakeholders’ Enhancement Program. The activities of the three project components are mostly concentrated on the 49 barangays of Pilar, Sorsogon but a number of activities were extended to other communities outside Pilar, Sorsogon. All three project components were completed and activities were equally distributed based on the needs assessment results of the communities.

The BUCSSP’s extension concept centered on the People Empowering People approach (Page & Czuba, 1999) which connected research, theory, and practice. Adapting this approach successfully focused on the strengths of people, providing opportunities and resources without crimpling them as they take control of their lives from the Community Empowerment through Gender and Development programs.